Clip and molding assembly



March 3, 1942. R.' L. BROWN CLIP AND MOLDING ASSEMBLY Filed June 21, 1940 INVENTOR W, VZQW ATTOR s.

Patented 3,'

' OFFICE CLIP AND MOLDING ASSEMBLY Robert L. Brown, Detroit, Mlcln, assignor to William R. Wiley, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 21, 1940, Serial No. 341,736

Claims.

The present invention relates to spring clips of the type used in attaching ornamental moldings to panels, and to a novel assembly of a molding strip, clip and panel.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved form of clip for attaching ornamental moldings .to panels characterized by its low cost and ease of assembly.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a clip which will operate successfully to secure ornamental moldings to panels, even though the space between the inturned flanges of the molding strip channel may vary to a relatively wide degree, as in the case oi" some moldings made from plastic materials.

These and other objects, which include the provision of an. improved assembly of molding strip, clip and panel, will become apparent from the following specification, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.-

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary assembly view of an which is adapted to flt within the molding channel and bridge across the gap between the inturned flanges I4 and I5 thereof, as best shown and an outer leg formed of a pair of angularly' related portions 22 and 23, the portion 22 being intermediate the inner leg and the portion 23 of the outer leg. The outer leg portion 23 is provided with a foot 24 adapted to engage the bottom of the molding channel, as best shown in v Fig. 2.

The normal formation of the clip is such that when inserted within the molding in the manner assembled molding strip and panel, with parts broken away to illustrate the securing clip;

Fig.2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; I

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the clip;

Fig. 6 is a developed view of the clip with transverse dotted lines indicating the points at which the material of the clip is bent; and

Fig. '1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a type of ornamental molding suitable for use in connection with the present invention.

In the drawing, there is illustrated an elongated molding strip indicated generally at l0 which is secured to a panel II by means of a molding clip indicated generally at H. The molding strip which may be formed of any desired material, such as a, plastic composition or extruded metal, is of general channel form provided with inturned flanges l4 and I5, as best shown in Figures 1 and 7. The panel II is provided with a'series of spaced, rectangular holes it, each adapted-to receive a portion of one of the molding clips, as hereinafter described.

As best shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, themolding clip, which is preferably formed of spring steel, comprises a sheet metal element bent into a central portion l8 which is of greater transverse width than the remainder of the clip, and

illustrated in Fig. 2, the feet 24 on the'outer leg portions 23 press downwardly against the bottom of the molding channel, thereby forcing the central portion I8 resiliently against theinner surface of the inturned flanges l4 and I5. It will be noted that, as best shown in Figures 2 and 5, the central portion l8 has its side edges l9 bent in the direction of theinner legs 20 in order to provide a'sharp edge which will tend to dig into the inner surfaces of the inturned flanges I4 and I5. This tends to prevent longitudinal movement of the molding strip relative to the clip.

The clip I2 is assembled with the molding strip ill by first compressing the outer legs 22-43 of the clip toward the central portion I8. This tends to force the central portion downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2, or toward the plane of the foot portions 24, thus making it possible to insert the central portion l8 of the clip into the molding strip channel end-wise of the channel and slide it along the strip to the desired posi-v tion. When the clip has reachedthe desired position along the strip, the pressure which is forcing the outer legs toward the central portions I8 is released, thus permitting the foot portions 24 to force the central portion I8 against the inturned flanges. This positively grips the strip and prevents any movement of the clip relative thereto. 4

After a plurality of clips [2 are secured in the manner above described in proper position alongthe molding strip l0, it is a simple matter to assemble the molding strip and clips with the panel ll because alltha't is necessary is to position the molding strip with one clip l2 opposite each of the rectangular openings It in the panel, whereupon the strip is merely pressed against the panel. This causes the outer portions 22 oi the outer legs to engage the ends 28 ,of the rectangular slots i6, thus cammin'g the outer legs of the clip inwardly and permitting the clip to pass through the opening l6 into the position illustrated in Fig. 2. In this position the outwardly flaring portions 23 of the outer legs have passed through the opening I6 and the outer 2,275,127 I adapted to project out of said molding channel,

each of said U-shaped portions having an inner leg connected to the central portion, an outer leg adapted to resiliently engage the bottom of the molding channel in order to force the central portion against the inner surfaces of the inturned molding channel flanges, and an intermediate portion adapted -to project through the I panel opening, the inner legs of the U-shaped ing iii are somewhat tapered in order to facllitate ready insertion. It is notessential that the clip accurately fit the opening IS in a direction parallel to the plane of the'metal of the clip,

' because the holding action is concentrated on the end walls 26 of the opening. It is likewise unnecessary that the clip accurately fit between the inturned flanges i4 and i5 of the molding strip, since the gripping action is applied to the inner surfaces of the inturned flanges and to the bottom of the molding channel.

Any desired meansmay be utilized to assemble the clips in the molding. One suitable apparatus and method for effecting such assembly is disclosed in applicant's copending application,

' Serial No. 341,737, filed June 21, 1940.

The clip of the present invention is exceedingly simple and inexpensive to manufacture,

yet is quite effective for the purpose intended and is peculiarly advantageous as compared with prior clips for thesame purpose in that it does not depend for its'action on an accurate-fit between the clip and the molding or between the clip and the opening in the panel.

While only one embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described, it is apparent that others are available within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the following claims. I

What is claimed is:

l. A clip for securing a molding strip of channel shape with inturned flanges to a panel having an opening therein, said clip comprising a sheet metal element of spring steel having a central portion adapted to fit within the molding channel and bridge transversely across the space between the inturned flanges of the channel, a pair of generally U-shaped portion extending from opposite sides of said central portion and adapted to project out of said molding'channcl, each of said U-shaped portions having an inner leg connected to the central portion, an outer leg adapted to resiliently engage the bottom of the molding channel in order to force the central portion against the inner surfaces of the inturned molding channel flanges and an intermediate portion adapted to project through the panel opening.

2. A clip for securing a molding strip of channel shape with inturned flanges to a panel having an opening therein, said clip comprising a sheet metal element of spring steel having a central portion adapted toflt within the molding channel and bridge transversely acrossthe space between the inturned flanges ofthe channel, a

pair of generally U-shaped portions extending from opposite sides of said central portion and portion extending at such an angle to the plane application of a force to the outer legs in a direction toward the central portion tends to shove the central portion toward said plane.

- 3. A clip for securing-a molding strip of channel shape with inturned flanges to a panel having an opening therein comprising a spring steel element having a central portion and free extremities adapted to fit within and grip said channel and a U-shaped portion intermediate each extremity and the central portion adapted to project from said channel and engage \the panel opening, said clip when subject to a compressing force in a direction in line with the molding strip being adapted to release its ripto project from said channel and engage the panel opening, the outer legs of the U-shaped portions being adapted to grip the panel opening by spring tension in a direction outwardly from the central portion and the inner legs of the U- shaped portion extending at an angle to the plane of the outer extremities of the outer legs so that the application of a force to the outer legs in a direction toward the central portion tends to shove'the central portion toward said plane and thereby release the grip of said clip in said channel.

5. In combination a moldingstrip of channel shape with inturned flanges, a panel having a plurality of openings therein, and a plurality of spring steel clips for securing said molding strip to said panel, each of saidlclips having a central portion bridging transversely across the space between the inturned flanges of the molding within the channel and a pair of generally U- shaped portions extending from opposite sides of said central portion and projecting out of the molding channel into said panel opening, each of said U-shaped portions having an inner leg connected to the central portion, an outer leg having its extremity resiliently engaging the bottom of the molding and thereby forcing the central portion against the inner surface of the inturned molding channel flanges and an intermediate portion projecting through the panel opening.

ROBERT L. BROWN. 

